Method of responding to an incoming communication received by a handheld device

Abstract

A method for replying to an incoming communication received by a handheld electronic device comprises detecting an incoming communication, detecting a selection of one of a number of predetermined responses to the incoming communication and, responsive to detecting a selection, providing the one of said number of predetermined responses. An improved handheld electronic device implementing the method is also provided.

1. A method for replying to an incoming communication received by a handheld electronic device, the method comprising:
 detecting an incoming communication, said detecting an incoming communication comprising:
 determining a sender of said incoming communication; and 
 providing to a user a plurality of predetermined responses for selection, at least some of said plurality of predetermined responses being provided as a result of said determination of said sender, said at least some of said plurality of predetermined responses specific to said sender of said incoming communication; 
 
 detecting a selection of one of said plurality of predetermined responses to said incoming communication by detecting a movement of the handheld electronic device; 
 responsive to said detecting a selection, providing said one of said number of predetermined responses as a response to said incoming communication; and 
 determining a format of said incoming communication, and providing as at least a portion of said plurality of predetermined responses a number of predetermined responses in said format. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising detecting as said incoming communication an audible incoming communication, and outputting on a display of the handheld electronic device as said at least some of said plurality of predetermined responses a representation of each of a plurality of predetermined audible responses for selection. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1  wherein said detecting a selection of one of a plurality of predetermined responses further comprises detecting an actuation of an input device of said handheld electronic device. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3  wherein said detecting an actuation of an input device includes detecting at least one of an actuation of a key on said handheld electronic device, an actuation of a thumbwheel on said handheld electronic device, an actuation of a touch screen on said handheld electronic device, and an actuation of a position sensor of said handheld electronic device. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein said detecting a movement of the handheld electronic device includes detecting at least one of a movement of the handheld electronic device from one orientation to another orientation, and a movement of the handheld electronic device from one position to another position. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1  wherein said detecting a movement of the handheld electronic device includes detecting the movement with a GPS sensor. 
     
     
       7. A handheld electronic device comprising:
 a processor unit comprising a processor, an input apparatus, an output apparatus, and a memory having a routine stored therein, the processor unit being structured to:
 detect an incoming communication by:
 determining a sender of said incoming communication; and 
 providing to a user a plurality of predetermined responses for selection, at least some of said plurality of predetermined responses being provided as a result of said determination of said sender, said at least some of said plurality of predetermined responses specific to said sender of said incoming communication; 
 
 detect a selection of one of said plurality of predetermined responses to said incoming communication by detecting a movement of the handheld electronic device; 
 responsive to detecting a selection, provide said one of said plurality of predetermined responses as a response to said incoming communication; and 
 determine a format of said incoming communication, and provide as at least a portion of said plurality of predetermined responses a number of predetermined responses in said format. 
 
 
     
     
       8. The handheld electronic device of  claim 7  wherein said processor unit is structured to detect as said incoming communication an audible incoming communication, and output on a display of the handheld electronic device as said at least some of said number of predetermined responses a representation of each of a plurality of predetermined audible responses for selection. 
     
     
       9. The handheld electronic device of  claim 7  wherein said processor unit is further structured to detect as said selection an actuation of an input device of said handheld electronic device. 
     
     
       10. The handheld electronic device of  claim 9  wherein said processor unit is structured to detect as said selection one of an actuation of a key on said handheld electronic device, an actuation of a thumbwheel on said handheld electronic device, an actuation of a touch screen on said handheld electronic device, and an actuation a position sensor of said handheld electronic device. 
     
     
       11. The handheld electronic device of  claim 7  wherein said processor unit is further structured to detect as said detecting a movement of the handheld electronic device at least one of a movement of the handheld electronic device from one orientation to another orientation, and a movement of the handheld electronic device from one position to another position. 
     
     
       12. The handheld electronic device of  claim 7  further comprising a GPS sensor, and wherein the processor unit is further structured to detect the movement with the GPS sensor.